Hypothesizing that brain reward circuitry genes are genetic antecedents of pain sensitivity and critical diagnostic and pharmacogenomic treatment targets for chronic pain conditions.
While it is well established that the principal ascending pathways for pain originate in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord and in the medulla, the control and sensitivity to pain may reside in additional neurological loci, especially in the mesolimbic system of the brain (i.e., a reward center), and a number of genes and associated polymorphisms may indeed impact pain tolerance and or sensitivity. It is hypothesized that these polymorphisms associate with a predisposition to intolerance or tolerance to pain. It is further hypothesized that identification of certain gene polymorphisms provides a unique therapeutic target to assist in the treatment of pain. It is hereby proposed that pharmacogenetic testing of certain candidate genes (i.e., mu receptors, PENK etc.) will result in pharmacogenomic solutions personalized to the individual patient, with potential improvement in clinical outcomes.
Chen
Amanda L-C
AL
Chang Jung Christian University, Tainan, Taiwan, ROC.
Chen
Thomas J H
TJ
Waite
Roger L
RL
Reinking
Jeffrey
J
Tung
Howard L
HL
Rhoades
Patrick
P
Downs
B William
BW
Braverman
Eric
E
Braverman
Dasha
D
Kerner
Mallory
M
Blum
Seth H
SH
DiNubile
Nicholas
N
Smith
David
D
Oscar-Berman
Marlene
M
Prihoda
Thomas J
TJ
Floyd
John B
JB
O'Brien
David
D
Liu
H H
HH
Blum
Kenneth
K
D000344:Afferent Pathways / Q000502:physiology; D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology*; D004298:Dopamine / Q000502:physiology; D005356:Fibromyalgia / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D009020:Morphine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology; D009619:Nociceptors / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D010146:Pain / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017288:Pain Threshold / Q000502:physiology; D012201:Reward; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000502:physiology; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000503:physiopathology; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000209:etiology
D000700:Analgesics; D009020:Morphine; D004298:Dopamine